whose lifetime? Duddos big nooke ideas will take 2 generations...

whose lifetime?

Duddos big nooke ideas will take 2 generations to get on the ground - at least 1 generation.

Don't forget - we've got the SCOMO Great Big Nuke Sub Project to do as well ---------




''The demands on Australia's labor force for nuclear submarine projects would significantly challenge efforts to simultaneously raise a workforce for building multiple nuclear power stations by 2037. Here's an analysis of the situation:
1. Scale of submarine workforce requirements:
The AUKUS submarine program is projected to create around 20,000 direct jobs over the next 30 years across industry, the Australian Defence Force, and the Australian Public Service[1][3]. At its peak, building and sustaining nuclear-powered submarines in Australia will create up to 8,500 direct jobs in the industrial workforce[2][3].
2. Specialized skills overlap:
Both nuclear submarine construction and nuclear power plant building require highly specialized skills in nuclear engineering, welding, non-destructive testing, and other technical areas[1][4]. This overlap in required expertise would create intense competition for the same limited pool of skilled workers.
3. Existing skills shortages:
Australia is already facing expansive skills shortages, particularly among tradespeople, technicians, and laborers[1]. The country recently experienced its lowest unemployment rate in 50 years, further limiting the available workforce.
4. Training and development timeline:
Developing the necessary workforce for nuclear projects requires extensive training and experience. Australia is only beginning to establish training programs and international placements for nuclear submarine work[2][4]. Trying to simultaneously train workers for both submarine and power plant construction would be extremely challenging.
5. Infrastructure and resource allocation:
The submarine program involves significant infrastructure development, including new facilities in South Australia and Western Australia[2][3]. This could potentially divert resources and attention from nuclear power plant construction efforts.
6. Industry capacity:
Australia's manufacturing ecosystem is currently dominated by SMEs already facing demand that exceeds capacity[1]. Attempting to support both large-scale nuclear projects simultaneously would likely strain this industrial base even further.
7. Competing priorities:
The AUKUS submarine program is a top national security priority for Australia, which may lead to it receiving preferential treatment in terms of workforce development and resource allocation compared to civilian nuclear power projects.
Given these factors, it would be extremely challenging for Australia to raise a sufficient workforce for building 5 large nuclear stations and 2 SMR stations by 2037 while also meeting the demands of the nuclear submarine program. The competition for skilled workers, training resources, and industrial capacity would likely lead to significant delays or scaled-back ambitions for one or both projects. To achieve both goals, Australia would need to implement an unprecedented national effort in workforce development, significantly increase immigration of skilled workers, and potentially extend timelines for one or both initiatives.

[1] https://www.ussc.edu.au/aukus-inflection-point-building-the-ecosystem-for-workforce-development
[2] https://www.minister.defence.gov.au...kus-submarine-workforce-and-industry-strategy
[3] https://www.pm.gov.au/media/aukus-submarine-workforce-and-industry-strategy
[4] https://www.minister.defence.gov.au...ry-and-jobs-front-and-centre-aukus-submarines
[5] https://www.aspistrategist.org.au/astute-lessons-for-australias-aukus-submarine-workforce/